Are there growing pains

You might never feel any growing pains, but if you do, remember that before you know it, you will outgrow them! Kids and Growing Pains. Reviewed by: Melanie L. Pitone, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Are Growing Pains? What Causes Growing Pains? Here are three other things that might help you feel better: Put a heating pad on the spot where your legs hurt.

Stretch your legs like you do in gym class. The pain may be due to: Muscular tiredness — more physical activity than usual can be linked to more aching muscles for some children, although all children have some days when they do a lot more things than other days and most do not get pain.

Poor posture — standing, sitting or walking awkwardly puts greater than usual strain on the supporting muscles of the body. Sometimes, children whose feet roll in with very flat feet may have more trouble with pains than other children. Emotional upset — stress or unhappiness may trigger aches and pains, but this is not often the case for many children who have pain.

Growing pains do not affect how a child walks and runs and they do not make a child unwell. If your child is limping, is complaining of pain during the day, is unwell or if the leg is sore to touch, you need to get your child checked by a doctor. They may have an infection or an injury.

Diagnosis of growing pains Growing pains are diagnosed by ruling out all other causes of leg pain. Other health problems that can cause pain in the legs include: arthritis — which damages joints infections such as osteomyelitis and some virus infections such as Ross River virus problems that affect how the muscles work together — such as knock knees and very flat feet.

Always see your doctor if your child: has severe pain or pain that only affects one leg or arm , or if the pain is still there during the day is unwell or has a fever, loss of appetite or rashes has swelling, reddening or tenderness of the leg or arm is limping. Treatment for growing pains Always see your doctor to make sure that there is no other cause of pain. Things that may help your child manage the pain include: plenty of cuddles and reassurance that the pain will go away and that their legs will feel normal by morning massaging the painful area using special massage oils this is not necessary to easing the pain, but may help your child feel special heat treatment, such as warm baths and heat packs medicines that reduce pain, such as paracetamol check the bottle to make sure that you give the right dose if your child has feet that roll in or if they trip a lot, ask a podiatrist to check their legs and posture don't tell the child that the pain is associated with playing or growing, or else the child may feel afraid of both.

Where to get help Your doctor Pharmacist Maternal and child health nurse Paediatrician Things to remember Many children have pains in their legs without any obvious cause and these are often called growing pains. Most children who do lots of exercise don't get pain, and many children with pain have not been doing more exercise than usual. Always see your doctor to make sure that there is no other cause of pain. Give feedback about this page.

Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all children Related information. From other websites Child and Youth Health. What Causes Growing Pains? How Are Growing Pains Diagnosed? How Are Growing Pains Treated?

To help ease growing pains, your child can: Massage the area. Use a heating pad. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Follow the label directions for how much to give and how often.

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